Winners and Losers of Brian Wilson Signing with the L.A. Dodgers

According to Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports, free agent relief pitcher Brian Wilson agreed to a minor-league contract with the Dodgers.

The move immediately makes him a villain in San Francisco, where he pitched for seven seasons.

So, who are the winners and losers in the Wilson deal?

Winner: Los Angeles Dodgers

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The Dodgers got a steal with this deal.

If Wilson works out, he'll help a bullpen that ranks 19th in baseball with a 3.82 ERA. He'll help build a bridge to closer Kenley Jensen, who has been filling in nicely in the ninth inning when opportunities arise. If he doesn't, then the Dodgers don't lose that much money since Wilson is signed to a minor-league deal.

Wilson had 163 saves between 2008-11. If he regains his form, the Dodgers will be that much stronger come playoff time.

The fact remains, this deal can only help the Dodgers as they've been playing good baseball without Wilson on the roster.

Loser: San Francisco Giants Fans

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The Giants as a team aren't losers in this deal because they're pretty much out of the race.

The real losers of this deal are the San Francisco fans who have now seen one of their favorite players switch into enemy colors.

I imagine it's that same kind of feeling Boston Red Sox fans had when they saw Wade Boggs or Johnny Damon don pinstripes.

You like the guy as a person, but you just can't bring yourself to like him when he's in that other uniform.

For Giants fans, the one hope is that Wilson isn't picking up the save in World-Series clincher like he did in 2010.

Winner: Brian Wilson

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Wilson gets a chance to prove himself after Tommy John surgery in April of last year.

While it may be a little awkward to be in a Dodgers uniform, he understands it's a business. And, in this business, winning the World Series is a key factor in where a player signs.

It was no long-term deal for Wilson. It was a deal that allows him to prove himself. And, if he does well, he'll be one of the top relievers on the free-agent market in the offseason.

Of course, things could go horribly and it could be the end of Wilson's career.

But for now, this signing makes Wilson a winner because he's getting his chance to showcase his stuff.

Loser: Pittsburgh Pirates

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The Pittsburgh Pirates have one of the best bullpens in all of baseball, but there's a question mark at the back end as long as Jason Grilli is out.